112294 PK MINCITY OF SHOREWOOD
PARK COMMISSION MEETING
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1994
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD
7:00 P.M.
MINUTES
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Jennifer McCarty called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Chair McCarty; Commissioners, Dzurak, Bensman, Martin and Wilson;
Administrator Hurm; Council Liaison Benson.
Absent: Commissioners Colopoulos and Fuller.
3. REVIEW AGENDA
There were no changes or additions.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Bensman moved, Martin seconded, to approve the minutes of Tuesday, October 25, 1994,
with the following corrections: Item No. 8, Title "Hennepin Country" should be changed
to "Hennepin County ". Item No. 7, Paragraph 3, the words "by police" should be added
to the last sentence. The sentence would read "No curfew violations were observed by
police." Item No. 5, Page 2, Paragraph 4, make a correction on the spelling of the name of
Vicky Rosso which should be Rossow. Motion carried 4/0 with Wilson abstaining.
5. DISCUSSION OF ALLOWING HORSES ON REGIONAL TRAIL
Commissioner Dzurak explained that several horse owners had approached the City Council
directly on September of 1990, and asked that they be allowed to ride their horses on the Regional
Trail. The City Council gave them permission. Last year the Hennepin Regional Park District
took over responsibility of the Regional Trail system. This fall they presented their southwest
regional trail corridor operational plan, that plan states that horses are prohibited throughout the
trail corridors.
Commissioner Wilson stated that he does not like horses on the trails. He feels that bikers and
walkers do not mix well with horses. He also does not like horse droppings on the trail.
Mary Bensman stated that she likes horses and would like to be able to allow them.
SHOREWOOD PARK COMMISSION MINUTES
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1994
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Dzurak moved, Wilson seconded, to: 1) recommend that the City Council accept the
County policy prohibiting horses on a regional trail, 2) recommend that if the City Council
disagrees with this recommendation, that the Park Commission should be directed to
pursue a change in the County policy, and 3) recommend that horse permit holders be
notified annually through the City horse permit process that the Park District does not
allow horses on the trail. Motioned passed unanimously.
6. PLANNING FOR SILVERWOOD PARK AREA TURF TRAIL PUBLIC
HEARING
A draft notice document was presented to the Commission by Administrator Hurm. The
Commission felt that the term "Turf Trail" should be further explained by inserting after it "(grass
path) ". The Commission also felt that a separate sheet should be provided to allow an input
opportunity for those who are unable to attend the hearing. The notice then will consist of a short
description of the situation, a map identifying the location of the proposed trail, a copy of the one
page narrative attached to the petition signatures (petition received requesting the City to cancel
plans for completion of the trail project.), and a comment sheet. The Commission determined
that this notice should be sent to every property owner south of Highway 7 and east of Shore
Road.
Chair McCarty relayed the discussion that was held at the last City Council meeting to the
members of the Commission. It was clarified that the public hearing which is to be held on this
issue by the Park Commission would result in a recommendation to the Planning Commission,
who will officially hold the Comprehensive Plan public hearing probably in February, 1995. It is
only after that public hearing and official action by the City Council that the Trail Plan, which is a
portion of the City's Comprehensive Plan, can be officially amended.
During the general discussion, there was a consensus of the Commission that, although the
hearing is regarding the question of whether the proposed trail should be included in Shorewood's
Trail Plan, the property should be kept as City owned green space no matter the outcome of the
hearing. The Administrator was asked to research methods to assure that all of these lands remain
open public green space.
Following the general discussion, it was determined that the public hearing should be held
Tuesday, December 13, 1994, at 7:00 p.m. Following the public hearing, the regular Park
Commission meeting will be held.
7. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR
The Commission reviewed a draft letter to the residents who had petitioned regarding the
Platform Tennis. The letter was approved to be sent immediately after Thanksgiving.
Dzurak reported that he has heard that several children have been climbing on the utility building
at Silverwood Park.
8. ADJOURNMENT
SHOREWOOD PARK COMMISSION MINUTES
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1994
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There being no further business, Martin moved, Dzurak seconded, to adjourn the meeting
at 8:30 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
James C. Hurm,
City Administrator